Wildfire Smoke at Home Checklist

Smoke can sit over a region for days. The goal is one room with cleaner, cool air.

Set up a cleaner air room

1. Pick a room large enough for everyone. A bedroom with an attached bathroom works well.
2. Keep windows and doors closed.
3. Run a portable air cleaner sized for the room, one that produces little or no ozone.
4. If you have forced-air heating or cooling, use a high-efficiency filter, MERV 13 or as high as your system can handle (EPA). Set the fan to run continuously and close the fresh air intake.
5. If you cannot buy an air cleaner, EPA describes attaching high-efficiency HVAC filters to a box fan.

Do not add to indoor smoke

Avoid frying or high-heat cooking, candles, incense, gas or wood-burning stoves, aerosol sprays, smoking, vaping, and vacuuming without a HEPA filter. Limit exhaust fans.

Going outside

Use a well-fitted NIOSH-approved N95. Dust masks and bandanas do not provide enough protection. Children’s sizes are not made, and children under 2 should not wear a respirator.

Heat comes first

Health Canada says protecting yourself from heat is the priority. If you have no air conditioning and cannot stay cool with windows closed, open them for a time or go to a cooling centre or cleaner air space.

Check the air

• US: AirNow and your state or local air agency.
• Canada: Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and local advisories.

If you have heart or lung disease, are pregnant, or are caring for children or older adults, make a plan with your health care provider. If an evacuation order arrives, leave.